The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-29

most imperative orders are issued. and
the utmost care taken in moving trains
by telegraph; and TO answer with 10
before the signal is displayed is con-
trary TO all rules. as in so doing there
is chance that some duty will come
up. in the performance of which the
signal will be neglected. until too
late.
"Wcll! upon rec giving the assurance
that the flag was out at A.. / gave
ths order corresponding to The one
above, but addressed to No. 102. Thus
1 had all arranged according 10 rule,
for crossing at c.. Soon came
the answer from No. 65:
-'To Hobbs, Dispatcher:
1--WE understand we are to proceed to c.,
and cross No. 1Os there.
afs,pne0 BRUCE, Conductor. mo. CIV
| N'eH COSrAR, Engineer. W.
10 this 1 promptly gave o. K. and
they were dispatched. As No. 102 had
not arrived at A, and no reply
could be received from them until con-
ducior and engineer had signed the
order. which. of course. the blue flag
would notify them was there, turned
my attention to other duties, and
thought no more of that crossing. I'M
til some time after. it occurred TO me
that No. 102 was slow about reply
ing.
so calling the operator at A.
l asked: Has No. 102 arrived?'
Arrived and gone. was the re-
ply.
Gone without receiving the orders
gave you? impossible! Did you dis
play your blue flag?'
mo! was the reply. Having re-
ceivcd no orders to do so did not.
The operator at A was COM
paratively new man. nephew of an
influential member of our board of di-
rectOrs. through whom he had OBJ
tanned his position, and through whose
influence l was soon 10 lose mine. His
deliberate falsehood astounded me, as
well it might, for allowing the train to
proceed without the orders meant for
them TO run by c. and en-
deavOr 10 reach their usual crossing
place at B, as soon us possible. to
save delay 10 65, which was rushing
along expecting TO reach them ut c
-. The result must be collision.
1.-The thought drove me nearly
frantic. Further questioning only re-
suited in further denial from the oper-
ator of having received any orders to
hold the train. which he accused me
of having failed to send.
with fasl-heating heart. and ter
rible faintness upon me. l dropped
my head upon the instruments and
prayed for The poor fellows upon the
trains. How many of them would
survive the wreck. which now it was
impossible to prevent, for between the
two heavy trains rushing toward each
other SO swiftly, no operator was on
duty with busily clicking instruments
10 warn them of their fate.
Noticing my actions the dispatcher
eagerly inquired the trouble. 1 could
not reply in words. but noticing my
instruments calling, 1 grasped pen.
and with my trembling fingers copied
this message. which relieved my mind
of the heaviest load l have ever
known. 1t WAS addressed to the
superintendent from the conductor of
No. 65. and ran thus:
''Freights Nos. 65 and 102 met in head COLI
sion one mile east Of C, speed of fifteen
miles per hour. Crews Of both trains escaped,
uninjured. Fifteen cars de allied five of them
wrecked completely, badly blocking the main
line. Will report in person by first train. :"
My greatest fear had been that
loss of life would result. Now that
was past was ready to explain.
LAS is usual in such cases. all the
participants in the affair were called
before the superintendent Each man
told his story. The operator ut A.
firmly adhered TO his falsehood. and l
as firmly to the truth. but to no pur-
pose. The influence of his director
uncle SIvcd for HIM his position. the
blame was attached to me. AID l was
discharged. forced to give up my Sit
uation, and move. Some time before
this. trus ting in the security of my
position. had put all our little saw
ings together and purchased small
house and lot in the pleasantest part
of our city. had borrowed from our
Savings bank the sum of two thou
sand dollars. and placed a mortgage
for that amount upon the place. be-
lieying that with prudence and econ
Omy we should be able TO repay and
lift the mortgage in due course of
time.
"A pleasant little place it was, and
much pleasure we took in fixing it up
with flowers and vines. until it pre-
sentcd most attractive appearance,
and 10 ourselves, at least. was the
very perfection of taste and home COM
fort. Now it must all be given up.
This made the blow doubly hard. for
where could / obtain a position at my
business. with the knowledge that
had caused a wreck?
No! l must give it all up and
commence at the foot of the ladder
again.
The company. having decided to
put in the wires and open station at
C. as a measure for guarding
against further trouble. very kindly
offered the situation to me-. Icould
but accept Soon we were moved into
our new quarters-I can not call it
home-in modest house near my sta
ton.
sDaV after dav came and rasSed